300 new homes have now been built in remote First Nations communities and town camps across the Northern Territory, marking a major milestone in the Australian and Northern Territory Governments’ remote housing partnership.

The joint $4 billion investment aims to halve overcrowding for First Nations families by delivering up to 2,700 new homes by mid-2034.

The 300th home was recently completed in Peppimenarti. The four bedroom, two-bathroom house was built through a joint venture between Green River Aboriginal Corporation and Big River Housing.

ELLIE WHITEAKER, SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Good morning. It's lovely to be here in the beautiful South Perth foreshore on this Saturday morning. I'm Ellie Whiteaker, I'm a Senator for Western Australia. Great to be here this morning with the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, and the member for Perth. And the Mayor of the City of South Perth, Greg Milner. We are here today to talk about Australia Day, as we head towards the 26th of January.

As Australia Day 2026 approaches, Australians are encouraged to visit www.australiaday.org.au to find local events and plan their day. 

Australia Day, on 26 January, is when we reflect on the best of Australians, the stories that inspire us and our shared future which unites us.

The Australian Government has provided $10 million in financial support for a record number of Australia Day 2026 events. With 862 capital city and community events being held, there is something for everyone in every state and territory. 

TRUDY MCINTOSH, HOST: I want to bring in now Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, who joins me from Perth. Pat, can you explain, why did it take so long for the Prime Minister to read this national mood for a federal Royal Commission?

We begin 2026 carrying the heartbreaking grief and shock following the devastating antisemitic terrorist attacks at Bondi Beach.

Sunday 14 December 2025 will be remembered as the darkest day in Australia’s recent history.  An attack on innocent Jewish Australians who had gathered in celebration.

This has affected us all. The anger, pain and sorrow felt across Australia will be with us the rest of our lifetimes.

JULIA BRADLEY, HOST: Joining me live now is Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. Patrick, thank you so much for joining us. Perth, it's looking like there's quite a bit of growth there.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: What we know over this very special time of Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Years is that millions of Australians still go to work. I think you only need to look at the heroic efforts of those firefighters fighting the fires in the Boddington region, who have saved lives and livelihoods. I want to thank them for being there and doing their job on Christmas Day, making sure that they save the lives and livelihoods of their fellow Western Australians. You see it in our police forces across the country.

TRUDY MCINTOSH, HOST: We're joined by our usual political panel. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, will be joined by Liberal MP, Jason - former Liberal MP I should say - Jason Falinski, in a moment. But Pat to start with you, can you distil for our viewers - why shouldn't Australia have a Royal Commission into the biggest terror attack we've seen?

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katrina Fanning AO PSM as Chairperson of Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL).

Ms Fanning is a proud Wiradjuri woman and current Director of Coolamon Advisors who brings exceptional leadership experience and a distinguished record of service to First Nations communities.

She has a broad range of expertise across government policy and operations as well as a sound understanding of First Nations areas.

The remote North East Arnhem community of Gunyangara has celebrated a major milestone with the opening of a new assembly hall for Yolngu children at Dhupuma Barker School.

The hall has been designed to be the heart of the school and features a large multi-purpose space with a covered basketball court, changerooms and administration space.

It will host school events as well as serve as a hub for the community, reinforcing Dhupuma Barker’s role as a focal point for Gunyangara.